No self-respecting Gypsy Collection would be complete without a dramatic headscarf. Of course, any square of fabric could become a scarf. So how did we kick it up, S4H Style? Our gypsy scarf is reversible and features corner grommets that hold lovely, long leather ties with beautiful beaded ends.
No self-respecting Gypsy Collection would be complete without a dramatic headscarf. Of course, any square of fabric could become a scarf. So how did we kick it up, S4H Style? Our gypsy scarf is reversible and features corner grommets that hold lovely, long leather ties with beautiful beaded ends.
This project is especially designed for the Gypsy Bandana collection, which includes a bold bandana print. You could use another fabric… but why?!
Our thanks to Michael Miller Fabrics for providing all the beautiful Gypsy Bandana fabric from the Gypsy Jewel colorway. You can find it in store and online now, including at Fat Quarter Shop, Fabric.com and Quilt Home. Take a look at our interview with Val Pillow and Anne Maxfield to find out more about the creative spirits who bring these fabulous collections to life.
Sewing Tools You Need
- Any Sewing Machine (we recommend the Janome DC2011)
Fabric and Other Supplies
- 1 yard of 44-45″ wide fabric: we used Gypsy Bandana in Red Gypsy Bandana by Pillow & Maxfield for Michael Miller Fabrics
NOTE: If you use the same Gypsy Bandana fabric as we did, with its pre-printed bandana shapes, you can get away with 1 yard. If you decide on another fabric, you should get ¾ yard each of two coordinating prints – with careful fussy cutting, you should be able to make two scarfs from this amount of fabric. - 4 yards of suede thong or soft cotton cording: we used suede thong in a russet brown
- Small scrap of lightweight fusible interfacing
- TWO ¼” grommets with grommet setting tool: we used a gold color
- 12-16 miscellaneous small beads and/or coins with a large enough center hole to be able to threaded onto your thong/cording
- All purpose thread
- See-through ruler
- Fabric pen or pencil
- Iron and ironing board
- Scissors or rotary cutter and mat
- Small, sharp scissors to help with grommet insertion
- Gum or leather hammer for grommet insertion
- Tape measure
- Straight pins
Getting Started
- Cut TWO 20″ x 20″ squares of fabric; one for each side of the scarf. We cut one blue square and one red square.
NOTE: If you use the same Gypsy Bandana fabric as we did, with its pre-printed bandana shapes, be aware that the bandana print is not a perfect square, but because it is a large scarf designed to be folded into a triangle with all the points overlapping in the final wrap around your head, that will not really matter. Simply measure carefully from the Gypsy fabric’s border lines to keep all sides as even as possible. - Cut TWO 2″ x 2″ squares of fusible interfacing.
At Your Sewing Machine & Ironing Board
- Following manufacturer’s direction, fuse one square to opposite corners on one 20″ x 20″ square of fabric. Either square is fine; in my sample, I put the fusible on the red square.
- The fusible should be positioned ½” in from the fabric’s raw edges.
- Place the two 20″ x 20″ squares right sides together and pin around all four sides, leaving an approximate 3″ – 4″ opening along one side for turning.
- Using a ½” seam allowance, stitch around all four sides, starting and stopping (and back tacking) at both ends of the opening. Remember to pivot, with your needle in the down position, at each corner.
- Clip corners and turn the scarf right side out through the opening. Using a long, blunt end tool, push out all the corners so they are nice and sharp.
- Press well, pressing in the raw edges of the opening so they are flush with the sewn seam. Place a few pins along the opening to hold it closed.
- Edgestitch around all four sides, pivoting at all corners. This will close the opening.
- Insert a grommet into each reinforced corner (the corners with the fusible interfacing). The directions that come with the grommet set are actually quite clear… for package directions! To summarize, first use the grommet top to determine placement, then trace around the inner circle to mark that placement.
- Using small, sharp scissors cut out the marked grommet circle. This cut doesn’t have to be perfect, just enough to clear away some of the fabric to help the grommet cut through. Insert the grommet post through the hole from back to front.
- Place the grommet top over the grommet post. Slide the rubber base under the fabric directly below the back of the grommet post. Place the anvil tool on the center of grommet top and hammer the two pieces together. The edges of the grommet post will crimp slightly around the grommet top.
- Repeat to insert the other grommet in the opposite corner.
- Cut the leather thong (or soft cording) into two equal lengths.
- Fold one length in half and loop it through the grommet. Repeat to attach the remaining length of thong to the opposite grommet.
- String a variety of beads and baubles on to all four ends of the ties. Knot the thong/cording between each piece to hold it securely in place.
- To wear the scarf, fold the square into a triangle. Wrap the scarf around your head, catching the scarf points under the grommeted scarf ends. Loop one tie up and over your head, bringing it around to meet the opposite tie. Knot the ends together so the long tails with their flashy beads with dangle and dance in the sun.
Project Design: Alicia Thommas
Sample Creation: Liz Johnson
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